One of Minneapolis' most popular lakes was shut down Tuesday amid worry that an E. coli outbreak that sickened three children may be more widespread.
Officials indefinitely closed Lake Nokomis' two popular beaches due to high bacteria levels while the state Department of Health investigates.
All events at the lake, including youth swim lessons and logrolling activities, have been canceled until further notice as officials urged people who use the city's lakes and wading pools to practice good hygiene.
"This is the first report of people getting ill from swimming in Minneapolis lakes we have had in more than two decades," Park Board Superintendent Al Bangoura said Tuesday night. "We take this news very seriously and are working closely with the Minnesota Department of Health as they conduct their investigation."
The children, who are 10 and younger, became ill after swimming at the lake between July 26 and Aug. 1.
Heightened E. coli levels at area lakes have shuttered half the city's 12 public beaches this summer. But unlike closures at Bde Maka Ska/Lake Calhoun, Lake Wirth and Lake Hiawatha — where bacteria was attributed to large volumes of rain runoff — health experts believe Lake Nokomis was likely contaminated by humans.
Undetectable strain
Park Board staff members are urging recent swimmers to contact the Health Department if they become sick, saying it's possible they were exposed and have yet to develop symptoms.
The Minnesota Department of Health identified the strain of bacteria as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli or STEC.